Mystember

"The job of the artist is always to deepen the mystery."
— Francis Bacon
 
Challenge
Write or create something which describes a mystery and how people try to explain it.
What is a world without a little mystery? While you may know everything about your world, there is likely something that your readers, players or the people who inhabit it cannot explain, however hard they try.
  Mysteries can be big or small, earth-shattering or mundane. They can be practical (who left the milk out?), scientific (what is energy?), philosophical (what is the meaning of life?) and any other number of things. They fit into any type of world and help to build out the culture and ideas of the people living there.  

Ideas & Prompts

Below is a list of a couple of prompt ideas to get you started. Feel free to use or adapt one of these or create something entirely different.  
Describe a popular conspiracy theory.
 
What is something the governing body doesn't want the people to know?
 
Describe a famous ship or vehicle which disappeared.
Describe an unusual object of unknown origin.
 
Describe a physical condition with an unknown cause.
 
What is a phrase whose meaning has been lost in time?
Describe a recently discovered artefact.
 
What is a species which is rumoured to stalk the edges of your world?
 
Describe a material with a property that no one can explain.
 

Real World Inspiration

 

Prizes and Judging

These are the badges for this competition; one for participation and one for the winner(s). I will be chosing and announcing winners in October. These badges were designed by the very talented Nicola Grossman. I recommend looking at her Website and Instagram.    

Entries

 

And the winner is...

Mystember 2024 Winners
Generic article | Oct 2, 2024
Start Date
1st September 2024
End Date
30th September 2024
 

Full Rules

  • Any format is allowed (article, image, etc.) - if it’s not an article, please attach it to one to submit.
  • Any article category/template is allowed
  • Any article should be less than 1500 words
  • Must include at least one possible explanation for the mystery (bonus points for more)
  • Entry may include adaptation of or additions to an existing article
  • Must be submitted by posting in the comments on this article before the end of the day on 30th Sept 2024 (in whatever time zone you are in)
  • One submission per user
 

Comments

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Sep 1, 2024 12:38 by Mochi

Been eager to write for this challenge, here is my entry already!

Algolian Caverns
Geographic Location | Sep 22, 2024

Expansive tunnels and caves below the Algol river, on Norrab. These caverns are constantly collapsing, destabilising the surface above.

I hope you have a great day!   Explore the endless planets brimming with life of the Yonderverse! Go after creatures, discover new places, and learn about the people you find along the way.   Check out my Institutes of Learning Challenge entry!
Sep 1, 2024 16:07 by Elspeth

So speedy! Thanks for entering, Mochi!

So many worlds to choose from...
Sep 1, 2024 17:34 by Tillerz
Sep 1, 2024 20:01 by Elspeth

Oooooh! The cover image alone made me shiver. This looks great! Thanks for entering.

So many worlds to choose from...
Sep 3, 2024 11:12 by Grey

The Texora Ghost Train
Myth | Sep 3, 2024
Here's mine! I might try and rustle up some art before the deadline and tidy up the linked related articles, but it's finished for now!

Sep 3, 2024 11:41 by Elspeth

Ooooh! A ghost train?! I can't wait to have a read of this! Thank you for entering. :D

So many worlds to choose from...
Sep 4, 2024 19:17
Sep 4, 2024 19:19 by Elspeth

YAY! I'm so excited about this! Thanks for entering!

So many worlds to choose from...
Sep 5, 2024 21:08 by ellipapa

I seriously loved this challenge so much! Here is mine!

The Veiled Oasis
Geographic Location | Oct 1, 2024

Do you enjoy a good old-fashioned circus? If so, check out my project for Spooktober 2024, here:Spooktober 2024

And if you find that intriguing, you can always visit my world of Kena'an for more tales of fantasy and magic!

Sep 5, 2024 22:01 by Elspeth

YAY! I'm so glad! Thank you so much for entering! <3

So many worlds to choose from...
Sep 5, 2024 23:16 by Moonie

My Entry for your pleasure: "Describe a recently discovered artefact."  

The Glass Hoop and Silver Sphere
Item | Sep 5, 2024

Sep 5, 2024 23:17 by Moonie

My Entry for your pleasure: "Describe a recently discovered artefact."  

The Glass Hoop and Silver Sphere
Item | Sep 5, 2024

Sep 5, 2024 23:18 by Moonie

My Entry for your pleasure: "Describe a recently discovered artefact." https://www.worldanvil.com/w/tavomia-madmooncrow/a/the-glass-hoop-and-silver-sphere-item

Sep 6, 2024 06:25 by Moonie

My Entry for Mystember, combination of "Describe a recently discovered artefact." and "Describe a material with a property that no one can explain" rolled in to one.  

The Glass Hoop and Silver Sphere
Item | Sep 5, 2024

Sep 6, 2024 19:45 by Elspeth

Awesome! Thank you so much for entering!

So many worlds to choose from...
Sep 6, 2024 20:38 by Nimin N
Sep 7, 2024 11:00 by Elspeth

I'm so glad! Thanks for entering. <3

So many worlds to choose from...
Sep 7, 2024 00:14 by Ephraïm Boateng

This challenge was really fun. Had a great time coming up with all the mysteries in this location! Thanks for hosting this challenge!

City of Hyrai
Settlement | Sep 12, 2024

Sep 7, 2024 11:00 by Elspeth

I'm really glad you enjoyed it! I can't wait to read it. Thanks for entering. :D

So many worlds to choose from...
Sep 8, 2024 15:01
Sep 13, 2024 08:03 by Elspeth

Thank you so much for entering! I can't wait to give this a read.

So many worlds to choose from...
Sep 9, 2024 15:47

Thank you for this wonderfull challenge - here is my little entry.

The Birth of the Goblins
Myth | Sep 8, 2024

Stay imaginative and discover Blue´s Worlds, Elaqitan and Naharin.
Sep 13, 2024 08:04 by Elspeth

I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you so much for entering. <3

So many worlds to choose from...
Sep 10, 2024 23:43

Thank you so much for this challenge! I've been needing to write this article since last summer and this was the perfect reason. I give you the secretive Hadymaar Brotherhood, protectors of knowledge... Or are they?  

The Hadymaar Brotherhood
Organization | Sep 11, 2024

Protectors of the Word

Now playing: Mystember. Coming Soon: The Longest Journey.   Ironsworn RPG Actual Play Fiction: Tales of the Inner Council!
Sep 13, 2024 08:04 by Elspeth

I am so glad you enjoyed it and it gave you a reason to write about the Hadymaar Brotherhood! I can't wait to give it a read. Thank you so much for entering. :D

So many worlds to choose from...
Sep 14, 2024 01:19

my entry and stuff

Void World
Geographic Location | Sep 14, 2024

Creator of the THF Universe
https://www.worldanvil.com/w/thf-universe-tankium
Sep 16, 2024 14:43 by Elspeth

Ooooh! Marvellous! Thank you so much for entering, I can't wait to give this a read, :)

So many worlds to choose from...
Sep 16, 2024 23:29

Here's my entry for this challenge!

Phadoyan Eel
Species | Sep 16, 2024

The monsters who lurk in the underseas

Hope you have a fantastic day!
Sep 17, 2024 10:54 by Elspeth

Ooooh! I'm excited to read this one! Thank you so much for entering.

So many worlds to choose from...
Sep 19, 2024 23:59

I just love this idea so much!   For a moment I wasn't sure if I would make it, but finally, here it is!  

Ruins and Renewal
Geographic Location | Sep 20, 2024

An unnaturally new forest surrounds a mysteriously abandoned house.

Sep 20, 2024 20:19 by Elspeth

I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you so much for entering, I can't wait to give this a read! :D

So many worlds to choose from...
Sep 22, 2024 15:22

Cool challenge that I can tie right to some of my summer camp articles.

Spirit Rock
Building / Landmark | Sep 22, 2024

Sep 26, 2024 08:35 by Elspeth

Thank you so much for entering. I'm glad it tied in to your summer camp articles and I can't wait to read it. :)

So many worlds to choose from...
Sep 29, 2024 18:29 by Secere Laetes
Sep 29, 2024 19:04 by Elspeth

Thank you so much for entering! My German isn't very good, so I'll be running it through a translator, but I can't wait to see what you've created!

So many worlds to choose from...
Sep 30, 2024 09:01 by Pandora 9

Great Beasts
Generic article | Oct 6, 2024

The general name for a group of (not necessarily actually connected) exceptionally dangerous and powerful unique monsters.

Just sliding on in here at the last minute...

Crimson Court: Dark Isekai Fantasy focusing on Court Intrigue, Politics and Complicated Relationships. And Also Wars. Still Under Construction, beware the pits.

Sep 30, 2024 20:38 by Elspeth

Love a last minute entry! Thanks for entering, I can't wait to give this a read! :)

So many worlds to choose from...
Sep 30, 2024 12:50 by Catoblepon
Sep 30, 2024 20:38 by Elspeth

OOoooh! Can't wait to have a look. Thank you so much for entering! <3

So many worlds to choose from...
Sep 30, 2024 19:26

I couldn't do what I was going for, but instead have this organisation, they fit the bill quite well

The Ninth Gate
Organization | Sep 30, 2024

Hoo~ Hoo
Sep 30, 2024 20:39 by Elspeth

Sorry to hear you couldn't do what you were going for, but I cannot wait to read this. I love an organisation! Thanks for entering. <3

So many worlds to choose from...
Sep 30, 2024 21:25

Definitely last minute, but here we go:  

Karr’yr - Secrets in the storm
Myth | Oct 4, 2024

Sit down, my friend, and let me tell you of Aran'sha . A world where the sands shift and the stars sing, where the wind carries secrets and the twin moons keep silent vigil over it all.
Oct 1, 2024 08:47 by Elspeth

It doesn't matter when you enter, just that you entered! I can't wait to read this. Thanks for submitting it. <3

So many worlds to choose from...
Sep 30, 2024 22:39 by Eric Andrew

I wish I would've known about this challenge a little sooner, can I still submit it after less than 1hr past the deadline?  

Tear of Heaven
Material | Sep 30, 2024

Oct 1, 2024 08:48 by Elspeth

Where did you hear about it? I'll try to do better promotion in that area next time! Thank you so much for entering, I can't wait to read this!

So many worlds to choose from...
Oct 1, 2024 09:19 by Eric Andrew

I just joined the community two or three weeks ago and then went away for a couple days, so I might've missed other mentions of it. Luckily Tyrdal announced yesterday that the deadline for this challenge was coming, and I thought I should join!

Oct 1, 2024 14:01 by Elspeth

That's really good to know! Thank you!

So many worlds to choose from...